Restore Your Smile With Dental Implants

Dental Implants have been around for years. They have a very high success rate which has made them the go-to solution for replacing missing teeth. Trinity Dental Loft has answered some frequently asked questions about dental implants in our practice; let’s take a look at some below.

What is a dental implant?

An implant is a screw that is placed into the bone and functions similar to the roots of a tooth. An abutment and implant crown are cemented or screwed into the implant after it is healed.

Why are implants often recommended over other tooth replacement options?

Dental implants have a very high success rate, around 98%. With proper care, they often last a lifetime. Other treatment options typically will not last as long as an implant will. Also, dental implants are going to function most similarly to a natural tooth, there is no additional homecare required other than the same brushing and flossing you do for your natural teeth. Other tooth replacement options come with additional steps that don’t necessarily fit the lifestyle of many patients.

If an implant does fail, what is usually the cause?

The implant itself can fail if it becomes infected. Infection is usually caused by plaque/tartar buildup around the threads of the implant screw. An infection can also be caused by uncontrolled diabetes, other systemic diseases, or complications from smoking. The localized infection will cause the implant to become increasingly loose and eventually fall out.

Another cause of implant failure is implant crown or abutment fracture or loosening. If the implant crown fractures, then usually just the crown will need to be replaced. If the abutment becomes loose, usually the dentist will just need to tighten it back into the implant screw. In these scenarios, the implant itself usually does not need to be replaced.

What do I do if my dental implant has become loose?

Call Trinity Dental Loft immediately if an implant is loose. We will want to look at the implant and take an x-ray to determine if there is a problem with the implant itself or just the restoration that is screwed into the implant. If there is a problem with the implant (the part that is embedded in the jawbone), Dr. James will refer you to one of our trusted specialists for treatment.

Can you replace a loose dental implant?

If the whole implant becomes loose, it will need to be removed. The area where the implant was will need to be disinfected and given time to heal. Once it has been determined that the area has healed, the specialist will determine if placing another implant in the area is appropriate.

If one implant becomes loose or fails, will my others do the same?

This depends on the cause of the failure. If the failure was due to poor hygiene around the implant, then it is likely that your other implants may fail if homecare is not improved. If the failure was due to some other cause such as localized infection or mechanical failure, then it is not likely the other will fail, as one should not affect the success of the others.

Does Dr. James place implants?

No, Dr. James does not place the implant screw. She leaves this to her trusted team of specialists! Once your implant is placed and healed, Dr. James creates the actual tooth that you smile and function with.